Maintaining a job, particularly in the current climate, requires professional finesse. Read on to find out how to make your colleagues respect you and your boss see you as an indispensable asset.

Steps

1

Be punctual and don't try to escape early!

2

Be on top of things. Know exactly what is expected of you. If you're not sure - ask! It's not advisable to proceed with the hope that you'll blag your way through. Find out when you are expected to complete tasks and then manage your time accordingly. Stick to deadlines. Unfortunately, this may mean on occasion you need to put in those extra hours. If meeting the deadline is really not possible, make sure you let your line manager know in plenty of time and explain why. Turning up on the day without your presentation/assignment/completed task will not earn you any points.

3

Dress the part. Observe your workplace's dress code!

4

Think about what you say and how you say it. No one at work needs to know how much you drank last night, who you pulled, how much of a looker they were, and how many times you threw up etc. Equally they don't need to know the ins and outs of every matrimonial spat. That's not to say you need to be a worker robot. Knowing that you have an active social life can be a bonus, it shows what a well rounded person you are, just be selective about the details.

5

Be careful who you trust. (No one!). Never bitch and moan about other colleagues, even if they really are useless. Getting on with others is part of what makes you an asset to your employer. If you depend on a useless person to complete a task, give them clear deadlines, bring it up in casual conversation, say during a coffee break, without nagging to keep it in their mind, a few days before the deadline send out a friendly reminder. If it doesn't work, pass on your share to your line manager and let them do the chasing and disciplining.

6

If you finish a task with plenty of time to spare, don't hold on to it and use the interim to surf the net, call your friends from the office phone or play computer games. Hand it in early and ask what else needs to be done. If there's nothing obvious there's nothing wrong with showing you're willing to 'muck in', tidying the office and washing the cups benefits everyone!

7

If you're the more experienced worker, be willing to help others. Being approachable and helpful will quickly earn you a reputation - the best advertisement for yourself is genuine praise that comes from your colleagues in their conversations with your boss.

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Video

Tips

Show interest in others. Rather than talking about yourself, your weekend, ask others. People love talking about themselves! Aim to have good relationships with everyone in your department. Making a bit of effort pays its own rewards in the long run. You never know when your going to need to ask them for something - and it's helpful if you're already on chatty terms when the time comes.

Smile! People naturally prefer optimistic people. Moaning, being cynical, pedantic or sarcastic will not make you popular.

Don't complain about your work or how much you have to do etc - but do be honest if you are struggling.

Warnings

While the above is a list of 'do s', it's important to be yourself (your professional self!). Fake, overenthusiastic behaviour or praising the boss's haircut will earn you a reputation as an arse-kisser.